With the use of twitter currently soaring there are many new users who sign up and then wonder just what to do next. This is the second in a short series of blogs offering a selection of hints, tips and bits of advice for those wondering what to do with twitter …and how to do it.

Getting followed

It feels odd typing out your 140 characters when you know there is no-one following you so here are a few suggestions for attracting your first followers;

Follow people. Even if you are new at least one in four of the people you follow should follow you back.

Load a picture (or an avatar in social media-speak). Don’t ponder too much just get something up there. You can change it any time but don’t delay many people won’t follow you until you’ve got an image. Use the settings menu, top right.

Fill in a profile. Say as much as you can in the space allowed. People may choose to follow you because of who you are or what you do.

Add a website to your profile. It could be your own blog, your company website or perhaps your LinkedIn page but ideally it should prove information about you.

Avoid platitudes and the mundane it will turn people off and they will stop following.

Post links to new sites and things that you have spotted on the web that will be of interest.

Ask questions….you’ll start getting replies. You can use twitter as a living, breathing search tool.

Reply to people. Hover over their tweet and an arrow will appear at the right side (your right). Click it and you’ve started an @post. This is a tweet directed at one person but which everyone can see. If your are the person receiving them they will go into your @Replies box so you shouldn’t miss them.

Stick with it and before you know it you will be twittering just like Jonathan Ross and Stephen Fry.